Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 23:04:38 -0000
"Fleetie" wrote:

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

Some valve gear has a couple of kV running around it. dont just assume...

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Fleetie wrote:

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done.

Oh, we certainly have. From day one, I was trained to watch my ass around
mains. One day, I went to pull a connector off a switch. When you've got a
grip of a pair of pliers, and the pliers have a grip of a live terminal
that's attached to a computer, and you're holding the computer up in front
of your face with one hand, yet can't feel the weight and your muscles
aren't responding, you learn to supplant a little of your arrogance with
modesty.

Scariest moment? Feeling the tingling making its way up my arm and across my
face and realising that I was in one of those "can't let go" situations I'd
spent over 20 years assidiously avoiding (it started as a little tingle on
the pad of my thumb that was in contact with the pliers - it creeps through
your body perceptibly slowly, shutting down motor function as it goes). Then
I started screaming. If I hadn't unconsiously stepped back and caused the
euro connector to pop out, I wouldn't be here to patronise you with my
little story. When the euro connector popped out, I didn't even see the
computer disappear from my field of view - I only knew my grip had relaxed
when I looked down at the floor to find out what the crashing noise was and
saw the computer.

It was all over in literally a handful of seconds - didn't have time to
think - no time internally articulate a single word to myself - only had
time to become aware that I was in deep ****. I didn't choose to scream - I
heard the screaming and then realised it was coming from me. My body had
gone into panic mode while my conscious brain was still trying to work out
what was going on and how to deal with it.

Since all you've done so far is tell us that you did something dumb with a
valve radio why should anyone assume from that that you have a clue? I
*know* to avoid mains (and HT in valve circuits), but I still ****ed up -
what makes you so perfect when your starting point was an error borne of
ignorance?


Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Fleetie wrote:

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done.

Oh, we certainly have. From day one, I was trained to watch my ass around
mains. One day, I went to pull a connector off a switch. When you've got a
grip of a pair of pliers, and the pliers have a grip of a live terminal
that's attached to a computer, and you're holding the computer up in front
of your face with one hand, yet can't feel the weight and your muscles
aren't responding, you learn to supplant a little of your arrogance with
modesty.

Scariest moment? Feeling the tingling making its way up my arm and across my
face and realising that I was in one of those "can't let go" situations I'd
spent over 20 years assidiously avoiding (it started as a little tingle on
the pad of my thumb that was in contact with the pliers - it creeps through
your body perceptibly slowly, shutting down motor function as it goes). Then
I started screaming. If I hadn't unconsiously stepped back and caused the
euro connector to pop out, I wouldn't be here to patronise you with my
little story. When the euro connector popped out, I didn't even see the
computer disappear from my field of view - I only knew my grip had relaxed
when I looked down at the floor to find out what the crashing noise was and
saw the computer.

It was all over in literally a handful of seconds - didn't have time to
think - no time internally articulate a single word to myself - only had
time to become aware that I was in deep ****. I didn't choose to scream - I
heard the screaming and then realised it was coming from me. My body had
gone into panic mode while my conscious brain was still trying to work out
what was going on and how to deal with it.

Since all you've done so far is tell us that you did something dumb with a
valve radio why should anyone assume from that that you have a clue? I
*know* to avoid mains (and HT in valve circuits), but I still ****ed up -
what makes you so perfect when your starting point was an error borne of
ignorance?


Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Nath wrote:
I meant anything. For example, I don't now anything about electronics,
so decide to wire up a 1 farad capacitor, but in the wrong phase. I then
stand above it when I switch the power on.

Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

--
*If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Nath wrote:
I meant anything. For example, I don't now anything about electronics,
so decide to wire up a 1 farad capacitor, but in the wrong phase. I then
stand above it when I switch the power on.

Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

--
*If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Some valve gear has a couple of kV running around it. dont just assume...

In a *radio*?

I'd be more worried about the possibility of a live chassis in older valve
radios than the HT.

--
*Change is inevitable ... except from vending machines *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Some valve gear has a couple of kV running around it. dont just assume...

In a *radio*?

I'd be more worried about the possibility of a live chassis in older valve
radios than the HT.

--
*Change is inevitable ... except from vending machines *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Fleetie" wrote in message
...
But it wasn't going to get me KILLED!

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed? You wouldn't, any more than I would if some other stranger
had been similarly erased. So what's-his-face's patronising post
was transparently just that; an example of someone taking the
opportunity to _sound_ superior, with no proof to back up the claim
that they are in fact so.



Martin :-/




I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Fleetie" wrote in message
...
But it wasn't going to get me KILLED!

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed? You wouldn't, any more than I would if some other stranger
had been similarly erased. So what's-his-face's patronising post
was transparently just that; an example of someone taking the
opportunity to _sound_ superior, with no proof to back up the claim
that they are in fact so.



Martin :-/




I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Alicia Tamblyn wrote:
"Fleetie" wrote in message
...

But it wasn't going to get me KILLED!

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed? You wouldn't, any more than I would if some other stranger
had been similarly erased. So what's-his-face's patronising post
was transparently just that; an example of someone taking the
opportunity to _sound_ superior, with no proof to back up the claim
that they are in fact so.



Martin :-/





I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm



Lots of things are scary, but its only by being scared that we learn
respect. I have worked with 60 year old wiremen that have been around
three phase for 40 years, they know what not to do, and avoid doing it
without having to think, but you can't teach yourself (IMHO) that
without the ocasional reminder. I remember at the age of 9 (or so) being
thrown across the room (in the company of my parents) after delving in
the back of a TV, that day I learnt the capacitors retain charge. Whats
more dangerous, a circular saw or a 1kv power supply ? You can buy one
in B&Q, does that make it less of a danger ?

I was testing a preamp the other day, only 250v and low current, but I
had my phone in my pocket, I jumped like **** when someone called, with
luck, I jumped the right way, so what was the danger there, the amp, or
the fact I had forgot the phone ?

Look on the bright side, at the worse you may get a darwin award.

--
Nick

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Alicia Tamblyn wrote:
"Fleetie" wrote in message
...

But it wasn't going to get me KILLED!

I know enough to stay clear of mains, keep one hand for myself, etc.
Bloody hell! Exaggerate! Ok, there's a 1e-6 chance that an errant
and angry cap could have gone to the PCB in the sky and core sampled
my skull and its contents on its way there, but if we're playing the
exaggeration game, well, why stop there?

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed? You wouldn't, any more than I would if some other stranger
had been similarly erased. So what's-his-face's patronising post
was transparently just that; an example of someone taking the
opportunity to _sound_ superior, with no proof to back up the claim
that they are in fact so.



Martin :-/





I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm



Lots of things are scary, but its only by being scared that we learn
respect. I have worked with 60 year old wiremen that have been around
three phase for 40 years, they know what not to do, and avoid doing it
without having to think, but you can't teach yourself (IMHO) that
without the ocasional reminder. I remember at the age of 9 (or so) being
thrown across the room (in the company of my parents) after delving in
the back of a TV, that day I learnt the capacitors retain charge. Whats
more dangerous, a circular saw or a 1kv power supply ? You can buy one
in B&Q, does that make it less of a danger ?

I was testing a preamp the other day, only 250v and low current, but I
had my phone in my pocket, I jumped like **** when someone called, with
luck, I jumped the right way, so what was the danger there, the amp, or
the fact I had forgot the phone ?

Look on the bright side, at the worse you may get a darwin award.

--
Nick

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Alicia Tamblyn" wrote

snip

I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm


OK, I'll play:

A long time ago (on a building site which had 415V, 3 phase power running
around it) I was checking fuses in a plug with the top off (as you do) with
a screwdriver in my right hand. There was a flash, I got a split-second
massage all the way down my back (lovely), my arms flung out like a
scarecrow and the screwdriver in my right hand ended up about 50 feet off to
my left!

:-)

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Alicia Tamblyn" wrote

snip

I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched something
with my hand,
and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me across the room,
a tad bit scary.
but my first electric shock was aged 3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a
Lamp socket.
regards malcolm


OK, I'll play:

A long time ago (on a building site which had 415V, 3 phase power running
around it) I was checking fuses in a plug with the top off (as you do) with
a screwdriver in my right hand. There was a flash, I got a split-second
massage all the way down my back (lovely), my arms flung out like a
scarecrow and the screwdriver in my right hand ended up about 50 feet off to
my left!

:-)

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:07:53 +0000 (GMT)
Dave Plowman wrote:

Some valve gear has a couple of kV running around it. dont just assume...

In a *radio*?

I was making a general coment about valve gear, not specifically the radio, sorry.

mind you, some of the lower voltage lines can pack some current in valve stuff...

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:07:53 +0000 (GMT)
Dave Plowman wrote:

Some valve gear has a couple of kV running around it. dont just assume...

In a *radio*?

I was making a general coment about valve gear, not specifically the radio, sorry.

mind you, some of the lower voltage lines can pack some current in valve stuff...

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:38:03 +0000
G.Snail wrote:

I recall prodding about in a live monitor with a wooden spoon. That
was pretty ****ing stupid. The best one was when I electrocuted myself
by pushing a mains plug into a socket with a finger trapped underneath

that shouldnt be possible with a nice UK plug. perhaps you had one of
those older dodgy ones with no insulation at the base of the pins?

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:38:03 +0000
G.Snail wrote:

I recall prodding about in a live monitor with a wooden spoon. That
was pretty ****ing stupid. The best one was when I electrocuted myself
by pushing a mains plug into a socket with a finger trapped underneath

that shouldnt be possible with a nice UK plug. perhaps you had one of
those older dodgy ones with no insulation at the base of the pins?

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Alicia Tamblyn" wrote

snip

I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched
something with my hand, and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me
across the room, a tad bit scary. but my first electric shock was aged
3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a Lamp socket. regards malcolm


OK, I'll play:

A long time ago (on a building site which had 415V, 3 phase power
running around it) I was checking fuses in a plug with the top off (as
you do) with a screwdriver in my right hand. There was a flash, I got a
split-second massage all the way down my back (lovely), my arms flung
out like a scarecrow and the screwdriver in my right hand ended up about
50 feet off to my left!


I can add a few:

1) using a scope probe, one of my fingers was touching the earth ring
around the outer part of the probe tip. My other hand touched an exposed
solder tag on the chassis that was carrying 'live'. The current caused me
to grip on, with current across my chest. Fortunately, I stepped back, and
pulled out the power plug! The probe was not inside the set, so I though I
was working 'one handed' as I hadn't noticed my other hand was touching the
earth ring.

2) I took apart a running microwave system. Disconnected some waveguide
flanges and found I have 2kV (d.c.) in one hand, and ground in the other.
Fortunately, this threw me across the room! This one was because, unknown t
me, someone have taken the system apart and put it back together again, but
had forgotten to re-connect the ground tag to the klystron (metal body
anode) and allowed it to be grounded by default via the waveguide - worked
until I undid the flange.

My first shock was when touching a bayonet socket when about 10 years old.
The socket was done up, but a strand of wire was managing to get through
the screw-thread on the back and was outside the body of the socket.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Alicia Tamblyn" wrote

snip

I was probing inside an Oscilloscope using a multimeter, touched
something with my hand, and got a lovely 2kV dc shock which threw me
across the room, a tad bit scary. but my first electric shock was aged
3 or 4 and sticking my fingers in a Lamp socket. regards malcolm


OK, I'll play:

A long time ago (on a building site which had 415V, 3 phase power
running around it) I was checking fuses in a plug with the top off (as
you do) with a screwdriver in my right hand. There was a flash, I got a
split-second massage all the way down my back (lovely), my arms flung
out like a scarecrow and the screwdriver in my right hand ended up about
50 feet off to my left!


I can add a few:

1) using a scope probe, one of my fingers was touching the earth ring
around the outer part of the probe tip. My other hand touched an exposed
solder tag on the chassis that was carrying 'live'. The current caused me
to grip on, with current across my chest. Fortunately, I stepped back, and
pulled out the power plug! The probe was not inside the set, so I though I
was working 'one handed' as I hadn't noticed my other hand was touching the
earth ring.

2) I took apart a running microwave system. Disconnected some waveguide
flanges and found I have 2kV (d.c.) in one hand, and ground in the other.
Fortunately, this threw me across the room! This one was because, unknown t
me, someone have taken the system apart and put it back together again, but
had forgotten to re-connect the ground tag to the klystron (metal body
anode) and allowed it to be grounded by default via the waveguide - worked
until I undid the flange.

My first shock was when touching a bayonet socket when about 10 years old.
The socket was done up, but a strand of wire was managing to get through
the screw-thread on the back and was outside the body of the socket.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

The message
from "Nath" contains these words:

something he'd had lying around for too long.

Anyway, you lot, it's all very well taking the ****, especially as I'm
so sure none of you has ever had anything similar happen to you at any
stage, and made a rash move at a time of excitement and anticipation....


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967
110890
Manchester, U.K.
http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk



Nope. Can't say I have. Don't recall taking a chance of blowing something up
by guessing which way things go. It's risks like that that can get you
killed.

Martin, thanks for the flurry of interesting posts that your original
confession has produced.

I have had a Bush VHF 61 (early VHF plus MW/LW) beside my bed for a year
now. Cost me a tenner and a little very basic fixing, and sounded great
for a year till something died within it. Now the clock radio sits on
top! Yes, hifi it ain't but I was amazed by the mellow beauty of its
tone on FM.

However, your post prods me to do something about getting it working
again. It's all hard-wired within, and I was told that many of the
(working) components should also be replaced. Off to
http://www.bvws.org.uk/ at the weekend.

David

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

The message
from "Nath" contains these words:

something he'd had lying around for too long.

Anyway, you lot, it's all very well taking the ****, especially as I'm
so sure none of you has ever had anything similar happen to you at any
stage, and made a rash move at a time of excitement and anticipation....


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967
110890
Manchester, U.K.
http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk



Nope. Can't say I have. Don't recall taking a chance of blowing something up
by guessing which way things go. It's risks like that that can get you
killed.

Martin, thanks for the flurry of interesting posts that your original
confession has produced.

I have had a Bush VHF 61 (early VHF plus MW/LW) beside my bed for a year
now. Cost me a tenner and a little very basic fixing, and sounded great
for a year till something died within it. Now the clock radio sits on
top! Yes, hifi it ain't but I was amazed by the mellow beauty of its
tone on FM.

However, your post prods me to do something about getting it working
again. It's all hard-wired within, and I was told that many of the
(working) components should also be replaced. Off to
http://www.bvws.org.uk/ at the weekend.

David

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:06:14 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Nath wrote:
I meant anything. For example, I don't now anything about electronics,
so decide to wire up a 1 farad capacitor, but in the wrong phase. I then
stand above it when I switch the power on.

Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

Well, I heard a guy drop a spanner into a 1 farad 3kV capacitor one
day. He was temporarily blinded, permanently deafened in one ear, and
the rest of us at that end of the building were left with ringing ears
for a few days. The spanner disappeared entirely..................

Don't mess with big radar sets!

BTW, I've had my share of serious belts over the years, including
being thrown across a lab after leaning on two 'scopes that were
'earth lifted' and 380 volts apart! Makes you feel *very* peculiar for
an hour or two.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:06:14 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Nath wrote:
I meant anything. For example, I don't now anything about electronics,
so decide to wire up a 1 farad capacitor, but in the wrong phase. I then
stand above it when I switch the power on.

Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

Well, I heard a guy drop a spanner into a 1 farad 3kV capacitor one
day. He was temporarily blinded, permanently deafened in one ear, and
the rest of us at that end of the building were left with ringing ears
for a few days. The spanner disappeared entirely..................

Don't mess with big radar sets!

BTW, I've had my share of serious belts over the years, including
being thrown across a lab after leaning on two 'scopes that were
'earth lifted' and 380 volts apart! Makes you feel *very* peculiar for
an hour or two.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:46:37 +0000, Ian Molton wrote:

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:38:03 +0000
G.Snail wrote:

I recall prodding about in a live monitor with a wooden spoon. That
was pretty ****ing stupid. The best one was when I electrocuted myself
by pushing a mains plug into a socket with a finger trapped underneath

that shouldnt be possible with a nice UK plug. perhaps you had one of
those older dodgy ones with no insulation at the base of the pins?

Fun game we used to play in the old days at Marconi was to wrap some
fuse wire across the live and neutral pins of one of those old
'full-length' plugs attached to a piece of kit being used by someone
who'd gone home, then push the plug back into the socket and wait
until the next morning..............

Not me of course, you understand, some of my colleagues...... :-)

On the 'Darwin Award' subject, one of the funniest things I ever saw
(once we'd checked that he was OK) was a guy who was kneeling at the
back of an equipment cabinet with the door open, leaning inside to
check some capacitor voltage levels. His hand slipped and touched one
of the live cap terminals, which threw him back until his head hit the
top of the door opening, which threw him forward onto the caps, which
threw him backwards..... you get the picture, about four iterations
before he missed the doorframe and fell back onto the floor.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:46:37 +0000, Ian Molton wrote:

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 01:38:03 +0000
G.Snail wrote:

I recall prodding about in a live monitor with a wooden spoon. That
was pretty ****ing stupid. The best one was when I electrocuted myself
by pushing a mains plug into a socket with a finger trapped underneath

that shouldnt be possible with a nice UK plug. perhaps you had one of
those older dodgy ones with no insulation at the base of the pins?

Fun game we used to play in the old days at Marconi was to wrap some
fuse wire across the live and neutral pins of one of those old
'full-length' plugs attached to a piece of kit being used by someone
who'd gone home, then push the plug back into the socket and wait
until the next morning..............

Not me of course, you understand, some of my colleagues...... :-)

On the 'Darwin Award' subject, one of the funniest things I ever saw
(once we'd checked that he was OK) was a guy who was kneeling at the
back of an equipment cabinet with the door open, leaning inside to
check some capacitor voltage levels. His hand slipped and touched one
of the live cap terminals, which threw him back until his head hit the
top of the door opening, which threw him forward onto the caps, which
threw him backwards..... you get the picture, about four iterations
before he missed the doorframe and fell back onto the floor.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Fleetie wrote:

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed?

We wouldn't have known you'd been killed as (IIRC) you didn't post the
original article until *after* you'd tried the valves in the sockets :-))))

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Fleetie wrote:

I repeat what I said befo I bet you've *all* done things before,
that with hindsight would have been better not done. Now stop acting
like boring parents - and anyway, what would you care if I had been
killed?

We wouldn't have known you'd been killed as (IIRC) you didn't post the
original article until *after* you'd tried the valves in the sockets :-))))

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:
Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

Well, I heard a guy drop a spanner into a 1 farad 3kV capacitor one
day. He was temporarily blinded, permanently deafened in one ear, and
the rest of us at that end of the building were left with ringing ears
for a few days. The spanner disappeared entirely..................

Don't mess with big radar sets!

They let someone who doesn't know anything about electronics mess with
radar? Does the BAA know this?

--
*Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

In article ,
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:
Why would you wire a 1 farad capacitor to anything if you didn't know
about electronics? And where would you get a high voltage 1 farad
capacitor that might blow up and what would you be using it for?

Well, I heard a guy drop a spanner into a 1 farad 3kV capacitor one
day. He was temporarily blinded, permanently deafened in one ear, and
the rest of us at that end of the building were left with ringing ears
for a few days. The spanner disappeared entirely..................

Don't mess with big radar sets!

They let someone who doesn't know anything about electronics mess with
radar? Does the BAA know this?

--
*Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"David Holgate" wrote
Martin, thanks for the flurry of interesting posts that your original
confession has produced.

I have had a Bush VHF 61 (early VHF plus MW/LW) beside my bed for a year
now. Cost me a tenner and a little very basic fixing, and sounded great
for a year till something died within it. Now the clock radio sits on
top! Yes, hifi it ain't but I was amazed by the mellow beauty of its
tone on FM.

However, your post prods me to do something about getting it working
again. It's all hard-wired within, and I was told that many of the
(working) components should also be replaced. Off to
http://www.bvws.org.uk/ at the weekend.

David

Ha, yes, I always enjoy reading stories of people's near brushes with
electrical death!

I myself used to enjoy big caps as a teenager; I fondly remember
making it rain white-hot molten aluminium onto my bedroom carpet
many times, as I used to short out a big bank of caps with a piece
of aluminium. The little globules used to fall onto the carpet and
fade through orange to red, then black again, as small wisps of
carpet smoke issued up from each cooling drop!

And the big fat orange furry 40kV sparks that reeked of ozone, which
came from an old oil-filled 'scope xformer, which had its 4v or
6.3v filament windings collected to 10 or 15VAC, while we made good
use of what came of the 3.2kV (IIRC) H.T. winding.... Now that WOULD
have killed us (me and my best friend from school, electropyromaniacs
both) if we'd done anything wrong - with extreme prejudice!

But I did get some sensible things done. At 15 I managed a 4-digit
frequency counter with 1, 1000, 1000000 ranges, build entirely from
discrete 4000-series CMOS chips, which came to something like 22
I.C.s on an IMPRESSIVELY small piece of Veroboard.

I made a half-decent push-pull valve audio power amp that I got
about 15W RMS out of, which wasn't bad considering I wasn't using
a proper output xformer, but rather a mains xformer pressed into
service. That valve experimentation got me my share of minor jolts.

A single-scope to 8-channel multiplexer from a 4051 CMOS analogue
switch I.C. and a counter (though in truth, it wasn't that useful
when made).

Stuff like that. All good teenage kicks. I could go on. All good fun, apart
from the shocks.

Keep 'em coming (the stories)!


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"David Holgate" wrote
Martin, thanks for the flurry of interesting posts that your original
confession has produced.

I have had a Bush VHF 61 (early VHF plus MW/LW) beside my bed for a year
now. Cost me a tenner and a little very basic fixing, and sounded great
for a year till something died within it. Now the clock radio sits on
top! Yes, hifi it ain't but I was amazed by the mellow beauty of its
tone on FM.

However, your post prods me to do something about getting it working
again. It's all hard-wired within, and I was told that many of the
(working) components should also be replaced. Off to
http://www.bvws.org.uk/ at the weekend.

David

Ha, yes, I always enjoy reading stories of people's near brushes with
electrical death!

I myself used to enjoy big caps as a teenager; I fondly remember
making it rain white-hot molten aluminium onto my bedroom carpet
many times, as I used to short out a big bank of caps with a piece
of aluminium. The little globules used to fall onto the carpet and
fade through orange to red, then black again, as small wisps of
carpet smoke issued up from each cooling drop!

And the big fat orange furry 40kV sparks that reeked of ozone, which
came from an old oil-filled 'scope xformer, which had its 4v or
6.3v filament windings collected to 10 or 15VAC, while we made good
use of what came of the 3.2kV (IIRC) H.T. winding.... Now that WOULD
have killed us (me and my best friend from school, electropyromaniacs
both) if we'd done anything wrong - with extreme prejudice!

But I did get some sensible things done. At 15 I managed a 4-digit
frequency counter with 1, 1000, 1000000 ranges, build entirely from
discrete 4000-series CMOS chips, which came to something like 22
I.C.s on an IMPRESSIVELY small piece of Veroboard.

I made a half-decent push-pull valve audio power amp that I got
about 15W RMS out of, which wasn't bad considering I wasn't using
a proper output xformer, but rather a mains xformer pressed into
service. That valve experimentation got me my share of minor jolts.

A single-scope to 8-channel multiplexer from a 4051 CMOS analogue
switch I.C. and a counter (though in truth, it wasn't that useful
when made).

Stuff like that. All good teenage kicks. I could go on. All good fun, apart
from the shocks.

Keep 'em coming (the stories)!


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Fleetie" wrote in message
...
Clip
But I did get some sensible things done. At 15 I managed a 4-digit
frequency counter with 1, 1000, 1000000 ranges, build entirely from
discrete 4000-series CMOS chips, which came to something like 22
I.C.s on an IMPRESSIVELY small piece of Veroboard.

I made a half-decent push-pull valve audio power amp that I got
about 15W RMS out of, which wasn't bad considering I wasn't using
a proper output xformer, but rather a mains xformer pressed into
service. That valve experimentation got me my share of minor jolts.

A single-scope to 8-channel multiplexer from a 4051 CMOS analogue
switch I.C. and a counter (though in truth, it wasn't that useful
when made).

Stuff like that. All good teenage kicks. I could go on. All good fun,
apart
from the shocks.

Keep 'em coming (the stories)!


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967
110890
Manchester, U.K.
http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk


Thanks, your post just nudged my memory & brought back to me something I'd
completely forgotten about. Countless years ago while doing radio training I
designed and built a 12 hr digital clock using lots of 74 series ic's & 6
nixies hh/mm/ss compete with nixie drivers. Can remember thinking the logics
out on how to go from 12 to 1. The clocking was initially 50hz mains freq
& schmitt trigger to square it , remember messing around with Xtal clocking
later on. It kept time really well but trouble was everytime there was a
lightening storm the thing went haywire. Never got around to 'scoping the
clock during a storm.....went on to another project.

Mike

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Fleetie" wrote in message
...
Clip
But I did get some sensible things done. At 15 I managed a 4-digit
frequency counter with 1, 1000, 1000000 ranges, build entirely from
discrete 4000-series CMOS chips, which came to something like 22
I.C.s on an IMPRESSIVELY small piece of Veroboard.

I made a half-decent push-pull valve audio power amp that I got
about 15W RMS out of, which wasn't bad considering I wasn't using
a proper output xformer, but rather a mains xformer pressed into
service. That valve experimentation got me my share of minor jolts.

A single-scope to 8-channel multiplexer from a 4051 CMOS analogue
switch I.C. and a counter (though in truth, it wasn't that useful
when made).

Stuff like that. All good teenage kicks. I could go on. All good fun,
apart
from the shocks.

Keep 'em coming (the stories)!


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967
110890
Manchester, U.K.
http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk


Thanks, your post just nudged my memory & brought back to me something I'd
completely forgotten about. Countless years ago while doing radio training I
designed and built a 12 hr digital clock using lots of 74 series ic's & 6
nixies hh/mm/ss compete with nixie drivers. Can remember thinking the logics
out on how to go from 12 to 1. The clocking was initially 50hz mains freq
& schmitt trigger to square it , remember messing around with Xtal clocking
later on. It kept time really well but trouble was everytime there was a
lightening storm the thing went haywire. Never got around to 'scoping the
clock during a storm.....went on to another project.

Mike

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Mike Gilmour" wrote
Thanks, your post just nudged my memory & brought back to me something I'd
completely forgotten about. Countless years ago while doing radio training I
designed and built a 12 hr digital clock using lots of 74 series ic's & 6
nixies hh/mm/ss compete with nixie drivers. Can remember thinking the logics
out on how to go from 12 to 1. The clocking was initially 50hz mains freq
& schmitt trigger to square it , remember messing around with Xtal clocking
later on. It kept time really well but trouble was everytime there was a
lightening storm the thing went haywire. Never got around to 'scoping the
clock during a storm.....went on to another project.

Yeah, embarrassingly, I clocked my freq counter off 50Hz mains! Pretty
useless really, and I intended to raid a cheap garage digital watch
or perhaps with more prospect of luck, an electromechanical quartz-driven
clock movement, for a 1Hz source, but again, never got round to it.

Also a coincidence that you mention nixie clocks, because I
REALLY WANT ONE now! But I've looked at the prices on the web,
and can't justify that at the moment, and can't be bothered
going though the hassle of making one myself now, because I don't
really do electronics any more.

But one day, I would really like to get my hands on a nice
nixie clock; it's in the same category as valve stuff with me.


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Mike Gilmour" wrote
Thanks, your post just nudged my memory & brought back to me something I'd
completely forgotten about. Countless years ago while doing radio training I
designed and built a 12 hr digital clock using lots of 74 series ic's & 6
nixies hh/mm/ss compete with nixie drivers. Can remember thinking the logics
out on how to go from 12 to 1. The clocking was initially 50hz mains freq
& schmitt trigger to square it , remember messing around with Xtal clocking
later on. It kept time really well but trouble was everytime there was a
lightening storm the thing went haywire. Never got around to 'scoping the
clock during a storm.....went on to another project.

Yeah, embarrassingly, I clocked my freq counter off 50Hz mains! Pretty
useless really, and I intended to raid a cheap garage digital watch
or perhaps with more prospect of luck, an electromechanical quartz-driven
clock movement, for a 1Hz source, but again, never got round to it.

Also a coincidence that you mention nixie clocks, because I
REALLY WANT ONE now! But I've looked at the prices on the web,
and can't justify that at the moment, and can't be bothered
going though the hassle of making one myself now, because I don't
really do electronics any more.

But one day, I would really like to get my hands on a nice
nixie clock; it's in the same category as valve stuff with me.


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Jim Lesurf wrote:

1) using a scope probe, one of my fingers was touching the earth ring
around the outer part of the probe tip. My other hand touched an
exposed solder tag on the chassis that was carrying 'live'. The
current caused me to grip on, with current across my chest.
Fortunately, I stepped back, and pulled out the power plug! The probe
was not inside the set, so I though I was working 'one handed' as I
hadn't noticed my other hand was touching the earth ring.

When I had my little tete-a-tete with the computer, my other hand wasn't in
the case either - the circuit was between the pad of the thumb in contact
with the pliers, and another part of the same hand in contact with the
chassis.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

Jim Lesurf wrote:

1) using a scope probe, one of my fingers was touching the earth ring
around the outer part of the probe tip. My other hand touched an
exposed solder tag on the chassis that was carrying 'live'. The
current caused me to grip on, with current across my chest.
Fortunately, I stepped back, and pulled out the power plug! The probe
was not inside the set, so I though I was working 'one handed' as I
hadn't noticed my other hand was touching the earth ring.

When I had my little tete-a-tete with the computer, my other hand wasn't in
the case either - the circuit was between the pad of the thumb in contact
with the pliers, and another part of the same hand in contact with the
chassis.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Jim Lesurf" wrote


snip


My first shock was when touching a bayonet socket when about 10 years old.
The socket was done up, but a strand of wire was managing to get through
the screw-thread on the back and was outside the body of the socket.



OK, if we're swinging the lantern!

I remember that when we were kids and the weather was too bad to play out,
my mother used to give me and my sister the toaster and a loaf of bread so
we could amuse ourselves making toast for a while, which we did. The toaster
was a spring-sided affair where you pulled the side down, put your piece of
bread on it and released the side suddenly to see if you could actually flip
the bread right out. This meant that quite often the bread would stick fast
to the vertical bars which were placed about an inch apart, in front of the
heating element. When this happened, I used to use a (bone handled) knife to
prise the toast off when it was done - plumes of smoke and squeals of
excitement! (No sappy 'automatic' rubbish in those days!) I never knew what
the slapping in my elbow was, that I could feel at these times.... :-)

Also, my own post reminds me of the time when I was on a large building site
in Sarf London*, doing the same job as mentioned before, which used to
involve using powerful handtools under extreme load and blowing fuses with
monotonous regularity. Anyhoo, I remember one day it suddenly went very
quiet and everything stopped (and I mean *everything* including the
traffic). I was enjoying a very peaceful ciggie, listening to the birds when
I heard a conversation from one of the floors below (I'm about 5 or 6 floors
up) saying that 'someone's going to cop it - the substation's blown'!! I
spent the next 10 minutes feverishly running down the stairs, ripping the
silver foil (from cigarette packets) off all my fuses in the extension boxes
on each landing......


*Parker Morris tenement block renovations, for the 'Housing Control' PhD
students amongst us.....

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Jim Lesurf" wrote


snip


My first shock was when touching a bayonet socket when about 10 years old.
The socket was done up, but a strand of wire was managing to get through
the screw-thread on the back and was outside the body of the socket.



OK, if we're swinging the lantern!

I remember that when we were kids and the weather was too bad to play out,
my mother used to give me and my sister the toaster and a loaf of bread so
we could amuse ourselves making toast for a while, which we did. The toaster
was a spring-sided affair where you pulled the side down, put your piece of
bread on it and released the side suddenly to see if you could actually flip
the bread right out. This meant that quite often the bread would stick fast
to the vertical bars which were placed about an inch apart, in front of the
heating element. When this happened, I used to use a (bone handled) knife to
prise the toast off when it was done - plumes of smoke and squeals of
excitement! (No sappy 'automatic' rubbish in those days!) I never knew what
the slapping in my elbow was, that I could feel at these times.... :-)

Also, my own post reminds me of the time when I was on a large building site
in Sarf London*, doing the same job as mentioned before, which used to
involve using powerful handtools under extreme load and blowing fuses with
monotonous regularity. Anyhoo, I remember one day it suddenly went very
quiet and everything stopped (and I mean *everything* including the
traffic). I was enjoying a very peaceful ciggie, listening to the birds when
I heard a conversation from one of the floors below (I'm about 5 or 6 floors
up) saying that 'someone's going to cop it - the substation's blown'!! I
spent the next 10 minutes feverishly running down the stairs, ripping the
silver foil (from cigarette packets) off all my fuses in the extension boxes
on each landing......


*Parker Morris tenement block renovations, for the 'Housing Control' PhD
students amongst us.....

Bought an Old Valve Radio Today!
 

"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"Jim Lesurf" wrote



OK, if we're swinging the lantern!

I remember that when we were kids and the weather was too bad to play out,
my mother used to give me and my sister the toaster and a loaf of bread so
we could amuse ourselves making toast for a while, which we did. The
toaster
was a spring-sided affair where you pulled the side down, put your piece
of
bread on it and released the side suddenly to see if you could actually
flip
the bread right out. This meant that quite often the bread would stick
fast
to the vertical bars which were placed about an inch apart, in front of
the
heating element. When this happened, I used to use a (bone handled) knife
to
prise the toast off when it was done - plumes of smoke and squeals of
excitement! (No sappy 'automatic' rubbish in those days!) I never knew
what
the slapping in my elbow was, that I could feel at these times.... :-)

Also, my own post reminds me of the time when I was on a large building
site
in Sarf London*, doing the same job as mentioned before, which used to
involve using powerful handtools under extreme load and blowing fuses with
monotonous regularity. Anyhoo, I remember one day it suddenly went very
quiet and everything stopped (and I mean *everything* including the
traffic). I was enjoying a very peaceful ciggie, listening to the birds
when
I heard a conversation from one of the floors below (I'm about 5 or 6
floors
up) saying that 'someone's going to cop it - the substation's blown'!! I
spent the next 10 minutes feverishly running down the stairs, ripping the
silver foil (from cigarette packets) off all my fuses in the extension
boxes
on each landing......


*Parker Morris tenement block renovations, for the 'Housing Control' PhD
students amongst us.....



Swinging the lantern just a little bit more....

My first shock at a very early age (can't remember quite when) was through
pushing a dandelion stalk into a heater touching the spiral wound electric
element, my other hand was holding the metal heater body.
Been careful ever since though I did have a very close call concerning 440V
and a 10cm Radar Scanner.
Remember also being splattered with hot metal from a disintegrating 440V
motor contactor. On a ship in the Indian Ocean when the air conditioning
packed up. The lecky was working on it when I got a call saying the starter
contactor coil has burnt out with no spare - me being helpful said okay I'll
rewind the old coil. Which I did..put the coil back in, checked with the
lecky, he said go ahead and pushed start. What I didn't know was that other
engineers had the over current trip disabled. What actually happened in the
first place before the contactor coil burnt out was the motor winding had
shorted out... a nice 440 bang.
Since that I check everything for myself. Survival is a sharp learning
curve hopefully ;-)